As Lionel Messi prepares to play his 208th and final match for Argentina, a friendly against Benin at the Monumental in Buenos Aires, attention is turning to what comes next for the man widely regarded as one of football's greatest-ever players. Messi announced his retirement from international duty on 31 August, roughly six weeks after Argentina's World Cup final loss to Spain, explaining simply that he felt he had given all he could to the national team. Coach Lionel Scaloni has left the door open, suggesting there would be no shame in Messi reversing his decision, but those close to the situation believe this chapter of his career is truly finished.
While his Argentina career ends, Messi's playing days are far from over. His deal with Inter Miami extends through 2028, reviewed annually, and insiders say he is unlikely to step away before that contract concludes. A renewal beyond that point remains plausible if he continues to feel capable both physically and mentally.
What comes after his playing career is less defined, mostly because Messi has rarely looked beyond his next match. Still, clues about his future are already emerging. He intends to remain within football in some capacity, but his ambitions and business interests now extend well beyond the sport itself.
When asked recently whether he envisioned himself as a coach or a club owner, Messi said he would choose ownership, reasoning that coaching demands too much week-to-week pressure and relentless attention to detail for his liking. An ownership role, by contrast, allows him to influence a club's direction from a slight distance, though those who know him say he would still want to be deeply involved in decision-making.
That vision is already taking shape in Spain. In April, Messi purchased UE Cornella, a fifth-tier club near Barcelona that serves as a development pipeline for young talent. More significantly, on 1 October it was announced that Messi would become owner of CD Eldense, a second-division Spanish club, pending approval from the country's sports authority, the CSD. Eldense will serve as the central hub of his football operations, though this season's priority remains straightforward: avoiding relegation. Former Villarreal coach Javi Calleja was brought in to lead that effort following the ownership change. Messi has reportedly been following Eldense's matches closely, and after the club defeated Real Oviedo 4-1, he posted an Instagram message reading "Aupa Deportivo." The impact of his association was immediate, with roughly a dozen sponsors reaching out within days, some of whom had previously stalled in negotiations with Eldense's former ownership.
In South America, Messi partnered with longtime teammate Luis Suarez to found Uruguayan club Deportivo LSM in May 2025, which earned promotion to the country's third tier in its debut campaign. Early talk of expanding into a broader network of clubs has since cooled due to the financial demands of climbing divisions, with focus now centered on helping Eldense establish itself in La Liga.
Messi will also hold shares in Inter Miami once he retires, as outlined in his contract, though he has no plans to launch a franchise of his own. Speculation about a possible return to Newell's Old Boys, his childhood club in Rosario, or a reunion with Barcelona remains just that—speculation, with no formal discussions reported. Still, Newell's will feature as one of sixteen academies competing in this year's Messi Cup, a youth tournament reflecting his passion for developing young talent. Launched in 2025 with eight teams, the competition has expanded to sixteen for its second edition, running from 25 October at Inter Miami's training facilities and featuring academies from clubs including Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan.
Messi's financial profile extends further still. Forbes estimated his net worth at approximately $1.1 billion in June, with annual earnings near $140 million spanning both football and business ventures. His long-standing lifetime partnership with Adidas remains a cornerstone, alongside MiM Hotels, a boutique hospitality venture spanning Ibiza to Andorra now operated by Melia. He also holds stakes in a Rosario real estate project and the restaurant chain El Club de la Milanesa, and has a multi-year drinkware partnership with Stanley.
Much of this business infrastructure traces back to his father, Jorge Messi, who managed his son's affairs for years before his death in August at age 68. Speaking last November at the America Business Forum in Miami, Messi reflected on this evolving chapter of his life: "Business is something that interests me. I would like to keep learning because I know nothing and I am just starting out."
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.